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Massachusetts Health Reform an Alliance for Health Reform Toolkit July 6, 2007

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Massachusetts Health Reform an Alliance for Health Reform Toolkit July 6, 2007 Massachusetts Health Reform An Alliance for Health Reform Toolkit July 6, 2007 “Massachusetts Begins Universal Health Care” The Washington Post July 1, 2007 www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/30/AR2007063000248.html This article, by Post health policy reporter Christopher Lee, describes the key points of the Massachusetts universal coverage plan and discusses how it could possibly be used as a national model. July 1, the day this story appeared, was the first day all adults in Massachusetts must have health coverage (except for the 60,000 exempted by the state). “How 10 People Reshaped Massachusetts Health Care” The Wall Street Journal May 30, 2007 www.allhealth.org/publications/Uninsured/How_10_People_Reshaped_Massachusetts_Health_C are_58.pdf This article describes the dynamics of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector board, 10 people from very disparate perspectives who were charged with working out the details of the universal coverage plan approved by the Massachusetts legislature. Health policy reporter Laura Meckler shows how the members of the board were able to find compromises on a variety of issues, driven by a desire to make the Massachusetts plan work. “Health Care Reform: An Overview” Massachusetts Commonwealth Connector www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector/menuitem.d7b34e88a23468a2dbef6f47d7468 a0c?fiShown=default This is the web portal to information about the Massachusetts health reform plan offered by the Massachusetts Commonwealth Connector, referred to in the Wall Street Journal article above. You will find links to the text of the reform law, regulations concerning the law’s implementation and bulletins about the law. “Massachusetts Health Care Reform Plan: An Update” Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured June 2007 www.kff.org/uninsured/upload/7494-02.pdf This fact sheet, put together by the Kaiser Commission, outlines the components of the Massachusetts plan. Sections include the individual and employer mandates, the Connector, the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program, Medicaid expansions, insurance market reforms and preserving the safety net. The publication also poses and answers key questions about the affordability and employer responsibilities under the plan. Implications for other reform efforts are described. “Massachusetts Health Reform Tracking Survey” The Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation June 2007 www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/pomr062707pkg.cfm This poll is the first in a series that will track the responses of Massachusetts residents to the new state health reforms. The poll finds that support for the new health insurance law has increased since September 2006. Two-thirds (67 percent) of state residents who have heard of the new health insurance law support it, compared with 16 percent who oppose it. In addition, more than half (57 percent, up from 52 percent in September) say they support the law’s individual mandate requirements, compared with 36 percent who oppose it. “Despite Broad Goals, Questions Remain for Massachusetts Health Care Initiative” The Online NewsHour April 6, 2007 www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/health/uninsured/massachusetts.html This article notes that the Massachusetts plan has been “hailed as a legislative milestone,” but has some potential pitfalls – primarily related to the state’s Uncompensated Care Pool. State money to subsidize the new plan comes largely by diverting money from the pool. But the pool will still be needed until all residents are uninsured, a possible Catch-22, the article states. “No Miracle in Massachusetts: Why Governor Romney’s Health Care Reform Won’t Work” CATO Institute June 6, 2006 www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6407 This critique of the Massachusetts plan by Cato’s Michael Tanner argues that the reform takes Massachusetts in the wrong direction because of greater governmental regulation of the health care industry and political interference in personal health care decisions. The report points to the new burdens placed on businesses, inefficient subsidies, and limitations on consumer choice required by the Health Care Connector as further detriments of the program. “Insuring the Uninsured: Five Steps to Improve the Massachusetts Plan” National Center for Policy Analysis April 19, 2007 www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba585/index.html This analysis by NCPA’s Devon Herrick suggests that the Massachusetts plan could be improved by subsidizing it through a federal Medicaid block grant, allowing more consumer choice in plans, removing the plan’s employer mandate, allowing insurers to charge premiums based on the insured’s risk, and ending mandated benefits. “Hiding in Plain View: ERISA Preempts Provisions of Massachusetts ‘Play or Pay’ Health Care Reform Law” Health Care Policy Report September 18, 2006 www.allhealth.org/publications/Private_health_insurance/ERISA_Preempts_Provisions_of_Mas sachusetts_Health_Care_Reform_Law_62.pdf This article by health care attorney William G. Schiffbauer reviews the Massachusetts law within the context of ERISA and highlights key provisions that are, or are not, in conflict with the federal benefits law. Mr. Schiffbauer concludes that three provisions of the health reform law “contravene ERISA’s purpose and would be preempted.” “Issue Brief: Japan and Massachusetts—A Comparison of Universal Health Care Systems” Missouri Foundation for Health Spring 2006 www.mffh.org/JapanMassachusetts.pdf This study by policy analyst M. Ryan Barker compares the general structure of both the Massachusetts and Japanese health care systems, specifically focusing on how each achieves universal access for its residents. It addresses the demographic and cultural factors that could affect the implementation of these programs, and concludes by examining how universal coverage in Massachusetts could affect the health of its residents. Broken links: Please let us know at [email protected] if you find that any of the links mentioned above no longer work. Some Selected Experts and Websites Analysts/Advocates Stuart Altman, Brandeis University…………………………………………………781/736-3883 Marcia Angell, Harvard Medical School…………………………………………...617/432-2570 Joe Antos, American Enterprise Institute……………………………………….….202/862-5938 Leonard Burman, Urban Institute………………………………………………..... 202/833-7200 Michael Cannon, Cato Institute………………………………………………….….202/842-0200 Gary Claxton, Kaiser Family Foundation…………………………………………...202/347-5270 Richard Curtis, Institute for Health Policy Solutions………………….………..…...202/789-1491 Karen Davis, The Commonwealth Fund…………………………………………… 212/606-3800 Liz Fowler, Health Policy Alternatives……………………………………………...202/737-3390 Paul Fronstin, Employee Benefit Research Institute……………...………………….202/775-6352 Beth Fuchs, Health Policy Alternatives……………………………..……………….202/737-3390 Paul Ginsburg, Center for Studying Health System Change………………...............202/484-4699 John Goodman, National Center for Policy Analysis………….……………………972/386-6272 Robert Greenstein, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities………………………..202/408-1080 Jonathan Gruber, Massachusetts Institute of Technology……………...……………617/253-8892 Edmund Haislmaier, The Heritage Foundation…………………………..................202/546-4400 John Holahan, The Urban Institute.............................................................................202/833-7200 David Kendall, Progressive Policy Institute……………………………………….. 406/543-2265 Arnold Kling, Cato Institute…………………………………………………………202/789-5200 Jeanne Lambrew, George Washington University…………………………………..202/416-0479 Robert Laszewski, Health Policy and Strategy Associates………………………….703/727-9517 Merrill Matthews, Council for Affordable Health Insurance…....……………..703/836-6200x383 John McDonough, Health Care for All…………………………...…………………617/350-7279 James Mongan, Partners HealthCare………………………………………………617/278-1004 Robert Moffit, The Heritage Foundation……………………..………..……………202/546-4400 Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization………………………617/825-5600 Ron Pollack, Families USA………………………………………….……………....202/628-3030 Karen Pollitz, Georgetown Univ. Health Policy Institute…………………………...202/687-0880 Diane Rowland, Kaiser Family Foundation…………………………...……………202/347-5270 Greg Scandlen, Consumers for Health Choices..…..………………..………………301/606-7364 William Scanlon, Health Policy R&D………………………………………..…..….202/624-3975 Gail Shearer, Consumers Union……………………………………………………..202/462-6262 Nancy Turnbull, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. Foundation..……………………617/246-3744 Grace-Marie Turner, Galen Institute………………..……………………………….703/299-8900 Enrique Martinez-Vidal, State Coverage Initiatives………………………………...202/292-6729 Alan Weil, National Academy of State Health Policy……………………………….207/874-6524 Government Agencies and Related Organizations Nancy Atkins, National Assoc. of State Medicaid Directors…………….………….304/558-1700 Salvatore DiMasi, Speaker, Mass. House of Representatives………………………617/722-2500 Joan Fallon, Massachusetts Commonwealth Connector……………………...……..617/573-1728 Jennifer Kritz, Massachusetts Exec. Office of Health & Human Services………….617/933-3053 Matt Salo, National Governors Association…………………………..…………….202/624-5336 Dennis Smith, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, CMS..……………….….410/786-3870 Robert E. Travaglini, President, Massachusetts Senate……………………………..617/722-1500 Beth Waldman, Mass. Dept. of Health and Human Services…….………………….617/573-1770 Joy Johnson Wilson, National Conference of State Legislatures………………....…202/624-8689 Stakeholders
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